Mushroom based coffee is the latest trend in functional beverages. The blend of coffee and medicinal mushrooms is marketed as being lower in caffeine than regular coffee, which can cause jitters and interfere with sleep. Some mushroom coffee brands claim the drink also has immune-boosting properties, a variety of antioxidants and more.
To make mushroom-based coffee, medicinal mushrooms such as lion’s mane, chaga, turkey tail, reishi and cordyceps are dried, extracted and then mixed with instant or regular coffee grounds. The result is a beverage that looks and tastes like coffee with a earthy, nutty flavor. Many of these fungi are adaptogens, which means they help the body adapt to stress and promote balance.
Mushroom-Based Coffee: The Next Superfood Trend
Depending on the blend, these medicinal mushrooms offer a variety of health benefits, including increased energy, improved focus and better sleep at night. While the claims made by the marketers of mushroom based coffee may sound appealing, most of these benefits have yet to be validated in well-designed scientific studies.
The good news is that you can buy mushroom-based coffee in stores, just as you would regular coffee. You can prepare the blend using a traditional coffee maker or pour over setup, and you can add your choice of milk (or non-dairy substitute) and sweetener.
One of GBMushroom’s favorite options is from Laird Superfood, which she notes uses organic, shade-grown coffee beans and a mix of functional mushrooms, including lion’s mane and cordyceps. She also likes Organo, which is made from roaster-direct, fair-trade coffee and organic Ganoderma mushrooms.